Chinese New Year Wall Decoration

This year, Chinese New Year falls on 31 January 2014 and welcomes the Year of the Horse. In the Chinese zodiac, there is a repeating 12-year cycle, with each year represented by a different animal. The Horse is believed to symbolise energy, determination, strength, and freedom. In a future post, I will share more about the history and traditions behind the Chinese zodiac and how the different animals were chosen.

Chinese New Year traditionally begins on the first day of the lunar calendar and continues until the fifteenth day, ending with the Lantern Festival. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, which is why the date of Chinese New Year changes every year.

Today, I would like to share how we decorated our house for the festive season using decorations that my mum kindly sent over from Singapore. Some of these photos were also taken by my sister while shopping in Singapore, where the festive atmosphere during this time of year is truly amazing. Shopping centres, supermarkets, and neighbourhood stores are filled with bright red decorations, lanterns, flowers, festive music, and endless displays of Chinese New Year goodies.

For many Chinese families, decorating the home before the New Year is an important tradition. The decorations are not only beautiful but are also filled with symbolic meanings and blessings. Families decorate their homes to welcome good luck, happiness, prosperity, good health, and success for the coming year. It is very similar to how many English families decorate their homes for Christmas with wreaths, candles, ornaments, and mistletoe to create a festive and joyful atmosphere.

Red and gold are the main colours used in Chinese New Year decorations. Red symbolises happiness, luck, and protection from evil spirits, while gold represents wealth and prosperity. Many decorations also include Chinese calligraphy with auspicious phrases and blessings for the New Year.

This is our Chinese New Year wall decoration!

I placed the traditional couplets on our doors and walls in the hope that the coming year will bring our family happiness, harmony, good health, and an abundance of fortune. These couplets are usually written with positive phrases and blessings to welcome good luck into the home. I love how they instantly make the house feel warm, festive, and full of life.

These are just a few examples of the decorations you can easily find in supermarkets and shops in Singapore during the festive season. There are countless designs, colours, and styles to choose from, ranging from traditional decorations to modern cartoon-themed ones for children. During Chinese New Year, almost every shop is beautifully decorated, making the streets feel lively and cheerful everywhere you go.

I hope this post gives you a little insight into Chinese New Year traditions and my culture. Decorating the house is one of my favourite parts of the celebration because it brings back many happy childhood memories of celebrating Chinese New Year with family in Singapore.